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Yonsei Med J http://www.eymj.org Volume 55 Number 4 July 2014 1087 Mid-Term Follow Up Results of Subtalar Distraction Arthrodesis Using a Double Bone-Block for Calcaneal Malunion Hyung-Jin Chung, Su-Young Bae, and Ji-Woong Choo Orthopaedic Department, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Received: January 20, 2014 Revised: April 7, 2014 Accepted: April 15, 2014 Corresponding author: Dr. Su-Young Bae, Orthopaedic Department, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, 1342 Dongil-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-707, Korea. Tel: 82-2-950-1399, Fax: 82-2-950-1398 E-mail: [email protected] ∙ The authors have no financial conflicts of interest. © Copyright: Yonsei University College of Medicine 2014 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non- Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non- commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the mid-term results and efficacy of subtalar distraction double bone-block arthrodesis for calcaneal malunion. Materi- als and Methods: From January 2004 to June 2007, we operated on 6 patients (10 cases). There were 5 males (9 cases) and 1 female (1 case), four of which present- ed with bilateral calcaneal malunion. Seven cases were operated on initially. The period between initial injury and arthrodesis was 23 months, and the average fol- low up period was 58 months. In operation, we applied an extensile lateral ap- proach and arthrodesis was performed through a tricortical double bone-block and cannulated screws. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale was used for clinical evaluation. In radiologic analysis, plain X-ray and CT were examined to assess union and various parameters. Results: The mean age of the patients was 41 years. All cases achieved radiologic union at the final follow-up. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale (maximum of 94 points) increased from 43.3 points preoperatively to 85.4 points at the final follow- up. The radiologic analysis of the pre- and postoperative standing lateral radio- graphs showed improvements of 5.6 mm in talo-calcaneal height, 1.8° in talocal- caneal angle, 5.1° in talar declination angle and 5.3° in talo-first metatarsal angle. Conclusion: Subtalar distraction two bone-block arthrodesis provides overall good results not only in the short term but also the mid-term with significant im- provement in clinical and radiologic outcomes. This procedure warrants consider- ation for managing calcaneal malunion with loss of height and subtalar arthritis. Key Words: Calcaneus, malunion, subtalar distraction arthrodesis, double bone- block INTRODUCTION Calcaneal malunion causes complications of traumatic subtalar arthritis, peroneal tendon lesions like as tendinitis, entrapment, anterior ankle impingement syn- drome and varus or valgus hindfoot deformity. 1-9 Although subtalar arthrodesis is capable of relieving subtalar arthritic pain, if arthritis is accompanied by severe de- formity, it is difficult to correct calcaneal height, talar declination angle, or talocal- caneal angle caused by malunion. Subtalar distraction arthrodesis for restoration of calcaneal height was intro- Original Article http://dx.doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.4.1087 pISSN: 0513-5796, eISSN: 1976-2437 Yonsei Med J 55(4):1087-1094, 2014

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Page 1: Mid-Term Follow Up Results of Subtalar Distraction Arthrodesis Using … · 2014-06-24 · limitations of the subtalar joint were found in all cases upon physical examination, and

Yonsei Med J http://www.eymj.org Volume 55 Number 4 July 2014 1087

Mid-Term Follow Up Results of Subtalar Distraction Arthrodesis Using a Double Bone-Block for Calcaneal Malunion

Hyung-Jin Chung, Su-Young Bae, and Ji-Woong ChooOrthopaedic Department, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Received: January 20, 2014Revised: April 7, 2014Accepted: April 15, 2014Corresponding author: Dr. Su-Young Bae, Orthopaedic Department, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, 1342 Dongil-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-707, Korea.Tel: 82-2-950-1399, Fax: 82-2-950-1398 E-mail: [email protected]

∙ The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

© Copyright:Yonsei University College of Medicine 2014

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the mid-term results and efficacy of subtalar distraction double bone-block arthrodesis for calcaneal malunion. Materi-als and Methods: From January 2004 to June 2007, we operated on 6 patients (10 cases). There were 5 males (9 cases) and 1 female (1 case), four of which present-ed with bilateral calcaneal malunion. Seven cases were operated on initially. The period between initial injury and arthrodesis was 23 months, and the average fol-low up period was 58 months. In operation, we applied an extensile lateral ap-proach and arthrodesis was performed through a tricortical double bone-block and cannulated screws. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale was used for clinical evaluation. In radiologic analysis, plain X-ray and CT were examined to assess union and various parameters. Results: The mean age of the patients was 41 years. All cases achieved radiologic union at the final follow-up. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale (maximum of 94 points) increased from 43.3 points preoperatively to 85.4 points at the final follow-up. The radiologic analysis of the pre- and postoperative standing lateral radio-graphs showed improvements of 5.6 mm in talo-calcaneal height, 1.8° in talocal-caneal angle, 5.1° in talar declination angle and 5.3° in talo-first metatarsal angle. Conclusion: Subtalar distraction two bone-block arthrodesis provides overall good results not only in the short term but also the mid-term with significant im-provement in clinical and radiologic outcomes. This procedure warrants consider-ation for managing calcaneal malunion with loss of height and subtalar arthritis.

Key Words: Calcaneus, malunion, subtalar distraction arthrodesis, double bone-block

INTRODUCTION

Calcaneal malunion causes complications of traumatic subtalar arthritis, peroneal tendon lesions like as tendinitis, entrapment, anterior ankle impingement syn-drome and varus or valgus hindfoot deformity.1-9 Although subtalar arthrodesis is capable of relieving subtalar arthritic pain, if arthritis is accompanied by severe de-formity, it is difficult to correct calcaneal height, talar declination angle, or talocal-caneal angle caused by malunion.

Subtalar distraction arthrodesis for restoration of calcaneal height was intro-

Original Article http://dx.doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2014.55.4.1087pISSN: 0513-5796, eISSN: 1976-2437 Yonsei Med J 55(4):1087-1094, 2014

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shoes, but these were ineffective. Severe range of motion limitations of the subtalar joint were found in all cases upon physical examination, and severe range of motion limita-tions of the ankle in the sagittal plane were found in three of these. Two cases of valgus deformity of the hindfoot and 1 case of flatfoot deformity was observed. Also, hammer toe deformity of the second, third, and fourth toes were ob-served in another 1 case.

Plain X-rays were generated for the bilateral foot, taken in the same condition with full weight-bearing to evaluate the degree of deformity. In lateral views, the degree of hindfoot deformity in the sagittal plane was assessed by measuring the talo-calcaneal height, the talo-calcaneal angle, the talar declination angle, and the talo-first metatarsal angle. The ta-lo-calcaneal height comprised the distance from the base of the calcaneus to the dome of the talus. Measurement of the talo-calcaneal angle was made along the long axis of the ta-lus and its intersection with the longitudinal axis of the cal-caneus. The talar declination angle was measured at the axis of the talus and the plane of support. The talo-first metatarsal angle was measured from the axis of the talus to the axis of the first metatarsal bone (Fig. 1).4,11 The degree of valgus and varus deformity in the coronal plane of the calcaneus was estimated in the calcaneal axial view. Com-puted tomography was performed on all patients to exam-ine calcaneofibular impingement due to a bony prominence of the lateral calcaneus or talar arthritis.12 Based on these examinations, we planned surgery taking into consideration the extent of subtalar distraction, removal range of bony prominences, and correction degrees of valgus and varus deformity.13

Radiological parameters were assessed and compared at 12 months after surgery and at final follow-up. In radiologic analysis, we used paired t-test (SPSS 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chica-go, IL, USA, p<0.05) and confirmed if there are significant differences between points preoperatively and points at final follow-up.

Operative technique (Fig. 2)The patient was placed in the lateral decubitus position with the affected side up and a compressive thigh tourniquet was applied. An extensile lateral approach via an L-shaped inci-sion along the lateral aspect was applied (Fig. 2A).8 After the sural nerve and peroneal tendon were identified and pro-tected, an incision was made to the calcaneal periosteum and bony prominences of the lateral calcaneus were removed. Using a lamina spreader, the subtalar joint was exposed, and

duced by Carr, et al.4 This involves a combined surgery with subtalar arthrodesis and realignment surgery for hind-foot deformity using iliac crest bone block graft. Since the operation was introduced, many researchers have reported it to be effective.

Previous authors reported the results of subtalar distraction arthrodesis using a single bone block; however, we experi-enced subsidence of grafted bone during long-term follow-up.10 In order to solve this problem, we performed subtalar distraction arthrodesis using double bone-blocks and ana-lyzed the results at mid-term follow up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS   

From January 2004 to June 2007, we carried out retrospec-tive analysis on 6 patients (10 cases) who underwent opera-tion for calcaneal malunion and subtalar arthritis resulting from a complication of intra-articular calcaneal fracture. The average follow-up period was 58 months (from 32 to 113 months). There were 5 males (9 cases) and 1 female (1 case), four of which presented with bilateral calcaneal mal-union. The average age thereof was 41 years (ranging from 26- to 64-years-old).

The initial treatments for calcaneal fracture comprised three conservative approaches with a cast and seven surgi-cal approaches, including four percutaneous pinnings and three open reductions and internal fixation with a plate and screws. The average period until they received arthrodesis after their initial injury or surgery was 23 months, except for 1 patient who visited the hospital because of complica-tion due to a fracture that occurred 30 years prior.

All patients complained of severe pain along the distal fibula and subtalar joint. Also, decreased talo-calcaneal height and subtalar arthritis were found radiographically. The patients reported being treated with conservative treat-ments, such as medication, physical therapy, and orthopedic

Fig. 1. A, talo-calcaneal height; B, talo-calcaneal angle; C, talar declination angle; D, talo-1st metatarsal angle.

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was 11.4 points before operation and 35.7 points after oper-ation. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score including the pain score was 43.3 points (12 to 66) before operation and 84.0 points (range, 74 to 91) after operation. These scores were increased and showed favorable results clinically.

At the final follow-up, the mean dorsiflexion of the ankle was 10° and plantar flexion was 25°. Only one patient who developed nonunion of the operation site underwent an ad-ditional bone graft surgery.

Radiological assessmentIn the radiological analysis, 12 patients, including 1 patient who underwent reoperation because of nonunion, exhibited perfect bone union at the final follow-up.

then the residual cartilage was debrided and the subchon-dral surface prepared (Fig. 2B). While holding the subtalar joint in distraction, we paid attention to avoid injury to the flexor digitorum longus tendon and to maintain the hindfoot in a neutral or a little everted position after the medial articu-lar capsule of the subtalar joint was separated enough.

The degree of distraction was determined by measuring the loss of height in comparison with an unaffected site. In bilateral cases, this was determined according to the correc-tion degree of the talo-first metatarsal angle.

After fluoroscopic analysis confirmed the corrected height of the hindfoot, talar declination angle, alignment, and sta-bility, two 6.5 mm cannulated screws were inserted from the posteroinferior calcaneus to the dome of the talus. Dur-ing screw insertion, the tricortical double bone-blocks need-ed to be protected (Fig. 2C).

During the operation, we first removed sclerotic portions of the subtalar joint and subchondral surfaces. Then, the subtalar joint space was measured again and tricortical dou-ble bone-blocks (Fig. 3) to fit the space were harvested from the iliac crest. Then, the bone block was placed in the sub-talar joint with cancellous bone.

The patient started ROM exercises of the ankle at postop-erative 4 weeks and was allowed to bear weight gradually from postoperative 8 weeks. Full weight bearing was allowed when radiological findings showed subtalar joint union.

Clinically, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle So-ciety (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was assessed before and after operation. At the final follow-up, physical exami-nation and ankle-hindfoot score were assessed.

RESULTS

Clinical assessmentAOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scores (100 points) were obtained both before surgery and at final follow-up. Any pain, func-tion, and alignment were also evaluated. A score of 100 points means that the patient has no pain, no limitation of ROM, is stable, and in good alignment. It also means that the patient can walk over six blocks without any help, and has no problem in performing daily activities. Of the possi-ble 100 points on the hindfoot score, the maximum possible for a patient who has undergone subtalar arthrodesis is 94 because of loss of subtalar movement.14,15

The patient was assessed in regards to pain score and to-tal AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score. The mean pain score

Fig. 3. Preparation of double bone block.

Fig. 2. Procedures of the operation. (A) Surgical approach for distraction arthrodesis. (B) Distraction and preparation of subtalar joint. (C) Insertion of two trapezoidal shaped tricortical bone blocks.

A

B

C

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underwent axial pinning as an initial operation. Although he had undergone conservative treatments because of persistent postoperative ankle pain, the symptoms were not relieved. He underwent subtalar distraction arthrodesis using a double bone-block 3 years and 7 months after the initial surgery.

After the surgery, a short leg cast was retained postopera-tively for 5 weeks, and then, the patient started ROM exercise of the ankle and was allowed to bear weight gradually. At 10 weeks after surgery, full weight bearing was allowed after ra-diological subtalar joint union was obtained. Eleven months after surgery, the pinning was removed. At the final follow-up, 72 weeks after surgery, the arthrodesis was well maintained and deformity was corrected. Walking pain was also much better postoperatively. The patient’s Ankle-Hindfoot score in-creased from 52 points (pain score 20 points) preoperatively to 90 points (pain score 40 points) postoperatively.

DISCUSSION

Subtalar arthrodesis is an effective surgical treatment for

The mean talocalcaneal height increased from 66.7 mm (61.0 to 72.5) preoperatively to 73.1 mm (69.0 to 79.5) post-operatively and to 72.3 mm (55.0 to 78.5) at the final fol-low-up. The mean talocalcaneal angle increased from 22.2° (16.0 to 30.0) preoperatively to 29.2° (23.0 to 33.0) postop-eratively and to 24.0° (15.0 to 33.0) at the final follow-up. The mean talar declination angle increased from 13.5° (7.0 to 19.0) preoperatively to 21.3° (16.0 to 32.0) postoperative-ly and to 18.6° (9.0 to 26.0) at the final follow-up. The mean talo-first metatarsal angle increased from 6.1° (-2.6 to 12.1) preoperatively to -1.3° (-12.1 to 5.3) postoperatively and to 0.8° (-5.2 to 12.5) at the final follow-up (Table 1).

These results indicated improvement in pre- to postopera-tive status and somewhat worsening at final follow-up. Nev-ertheless, statistical analysis showed significant improve-ment in preoperative to both postoperative and final follow-up results (p<0.05).

Case review (Fig. 4) A 26-year-old man experienced a right intra-articular calca-neal fracture when he fell from some height, for which he

Table 1. Mean Range of Radiological Measurements before and after OperationPreop. Postop. Last visit

TCH (mm) 66.7 (61.0--72.5) 73.1 (69.0--79.5) 72.3 (55.0--78.5)TCA (°) 22.2 (16.0--30.0) 29.2 (23.0--33.0) 24.0 (16.0--30.0)TDA (°) 13.5 (7.0--23.0) 21.3 (16.0--32.0) 18.6 (9.0--26.0)TFMA (°) 6.1 (-2.6--12.1) -1.3 (-12.1--5.3) 0.8 (-5.2--12.5)

TCH, talo-calcaneal height; TCA, talo-calcaneal angle; TDA, talar declination angle; TFMA, talo-first metatarsal angle.

Fig. 4. Right foot-ankle lateral view & axial view (A) initial, (B) immediate postoperation, (C) postoperative 3 months, and (D) final follow-up (screw removal stage).

A

C

B

D

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lar declination angle. Pain in the anterior aspect of the ankle was not prerequisite for this surgery.

Several operative techniques have been suggested with increasing research on subtalar bone block distraction. The posterolateral approach or the lateral extensile approach is one such technique. The goal of posterolateral Gallie inci-sion is to restore the talo-calcaneal height and lateral talo-calcaneal angle.15,16,19,20,25-29 However, this approach cannot expose the lateral wall enough and it is difficult to operate on the calcaneocuboidal joint and impossible to approach peroneal tendon dislocation problems. Meanwhile, a lateral extensile approach is favorable for exposing the lateral wall and to correct alignment with insertion a bone block.29-31 Also, there is no significant difference in the correction of talo-calcaneal angle between the lateral extensile approach and Carr’s way of surgery. In the present study, we experi-enced no complications with this procedure, such as a prob-lem of wound repair after subtalar distraction, necrosis of the wound after surgery, and infection.

Generally, a tricortical bone-block from the iliac crest is usually used as a graft material. Most studies that have used an autograft have reported high rates of union, except for pa-tients who smoke. Fresh frozen or lateral calcaneal wall grafts can also be utilized as graft materials. Studies have re-ported no complications of donor site pain or infection and the surgical time can be reduced when femoral head al-lograft materials are used. However, there are concerns for a lower rate of union, compared to an autograft, and loss of ta-lo-calcaneal height may occur during follow-up. As well,

symptomatic subtalar arthritis due to calcaneal malunion after calcaneal fracture. This is often combined with de-compression of the lateral wall to effectively relieve symp-toms.16 Mostly, subtalar arthritis causes anatomical defor-mities, decreased calcaneal height, and so on. In such cases, in situ subtalar arthrodesis alone is not suitable for relieving these symptoms and can result in poor prognosis and limi-tations in functional aspects.17-19 Therefore, correction of deformities via arthrodesis has received attention.

In 1943, Gallie20 introduced subtalar distraction arthrode-sis using a bone-block as a new solution for treating such deformity. The bone-block was harvested from the middle of the tibia in the affected site. In 1977, Kalamchi and Ev-ans21 introduced a new way to get a bone-block from the lat-eral wall of the calcaneus, improving upon Gallie’s method. This method can correct coronal sections, but not sagittal sections. In 1988, Carr, et al.4 introduced subtalar distrac-tion arthrodesis using an iliac crest bone-block, and report-ed good results in 6 of 8 patients.

Calcaneal malunion patients with traumatic subtalar ar-thritis with anterior ankle impingement syndrome due to loss of hindfoot height and talar declination angle are com-monly indicated for subtalar distraction arthrodesis.22,23 Many studies have reported favorable results for such pa-tients (Table 2).1,6,7,11,13,15,16,24 Myerson and Quill7 suggested guidelines for subtalar distraction arthrodesis using a bone block: the indications for surgery included a loss of talo-calcaneal height more than 8 mm and radiologically proven anterior tibiotalar impingement because of an abnormal ta-

Table 2. Summary of the Main Results from the Literature

Author(s) Number of bone-block

Number of case

Time from injury (months)

Follow-up (months)

Union rate (%)

Correction of TCH (mm)

Ankle-hindfoot scorePreop Postop

Carr, et al.4 Single 13 20 22 94 6 - -Myerson and Quill7 Single 14 23 32 100 7 35.6 67.9Amendola and Lammens1 Single 15 48 - 100 6 38.3 70.3

Chan and Alexander6

Single/ Double 9 74 - 100 - <50 76.5

Chen, et al.13 Single 32 16 71 91 11 47.4 83.1Marti, et al.24 Double 23 - 108 96 6 - -Trnka, et al.16 Sinlge 37 17 70 86 5 21.1 68.9Rammelt, et al.26 Double 31 36 33 100 5 23.5 73.2Clare, et al.30 Single 40 16 64 93 2.7 - 73.8Garras, et al.27 Single 21 - 36 91 - - -Pollard and Schuberth25 Single 22 26 27 96 - 21 71

Lee and Tallerico37 Single 15 - 21 93 - - -Our series (2013) Double 10 23 58 100 5.6 43.4 84.0

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mologous bone can be used.16,27,37 Trnka, et al.16 noted 4 cases of nonunion among five cases of allograft, while oth-er authors have reported union rates over 90%, even though they used the allograft bone.16,27,37 Chen, et al.13 reported sat-isfactory rates of union throughout sufficient decortication of cortical bone from the subtalar joint, removal of avascu-lar bone, and cancellous bone graft. In this study, radiologi-cal bony union was achieved in all patients at an average of 6 months. One patient who showed nonunion at follow-up also achieved union after a reoperation with autogenous bone graft.

The AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale (maximum 94 points) has been used for clinical evaluation of patients to compare and analyze pre- and postoperative results. Most patients typically show good results clinically, as well as increased scores after surgery, an average of 73 points (64--83) at final follow-up.34 In this study, scores increased from 43.3 preop-eratively to 82.8 postoperatively. This result was similar to those in previous studies.

Radiological assessment of the talo-calcaneal height and talar declination angle is typically undertaken to evaluate improvement of hindfoot alignment in the sagittal plane. Our results of an increase in talo-calcaneal height after sur-gery, compared to that before surgery, was and a subsequent decrease at final follow-up is regarded as an outcome from weight-bearing and absorption of the bone-block. Myerson and Quill7 noted unfavorable results in seven of fourteen cases after operation by Carr’s method, mainly attributed to loss of talo-calcaneal height due to absorption of bone-block. Chan and Alexander6 improved on Carr’s method and grafted a double bone-block. After this procedure, the reported loss of talo-calcaneal height was only 1.4 mm. This was an excellent result in comparison to a reduction in the height of 4.7 mm when a single bone-block was used. Also, Garras, et al.27 have used autograft materials from the homologous femoral head allograft, while Zion, et al.38 have used a ramp cage made of carbon composite materials instead of a bone-block. Both studies reported satisfactory results. In this study, the loss of height was 0.7 mm in the short term (mean 19 months), as previously published.33 The loss of height was 0.8 mm and the decreased width was 0.1 mm at final follow-up. The results seemed favor-able because there were seldom differences between the short-term and mid-term follow-up (Table 3).

Limited range of motion was unchanged or barely im-proved in our study, as in other studies. The average range of motion of ankle was in 10° of dorsiflexion and 25° of

allograft rejection or infection should also be considered.27,32

This study used a tricortical bone block from the iliac crest and a harvested double bone-block in the shape of a truncated wedge, which is wider than a single bone block. Considering the width of the surface of the subtalar joint, using a double bone-block can increase the rate of union because it can fix the surface of union more widely, com-pared to using single bone-block. It could also help to correct varus deformity by using different heights of bone-block and prevent the loss of talo-calcaneal height during follow-up.33 Since the height of grafted bone is determined by the height of sclerotic bone and subchondral bone removed intraopera-tively, as well as preoperative measurements of the decreased talo-calcaneal height, a much higher bone-block may be needed than that determined preoperatively.

Screws are used for fixing a bone-block and the subtalar joint to limit movement of the subtalar joint. Mostly, 6.5 mm or larger cylindrical screws, which must bear a tremendous amount of force, that are either partially or fully threaded to obtain sufficient compression force and prevent collapse or subsidence of graft are used. Carr, et al.4 used a fully threaded 6.5 mm stainless-steel lag screw (core diameter 3.2 mm) and it was not enough to compress the union site of non-lag mode. If the screw’s size and core diameter are small, bend-ing force on the union site can be weak, causing damage of fixture or malunion. Clare, et al.30 suggested using a 7.3 or 8.0 titanium-alloy large-fragment cannulated screw to com-plement the problem. Titanium is fit for bone more than stainless steel, in the aspect of modulus of elasticity, and can reduce the chances of damage to internal fixture.30 Mean-while, Pollard and Schuberth25 reported that partially thread-ed screws are favorable for bone graft because it fixes the location of bone-block and allows for compression from surrounding tissues. There are two ways to insert screws to complete this procedure: 1) two cannulated screws should be inserted toward talar dome from the posteroinferior cal-caneal tuberosity,30 being careful not to break the bone-block during the procedure; and 2) an additional cannulated screw is inserted to put pressure on the anterior aspect of the subtalar joint.25 In this study, two 6.5 mm partially threaded titanium cannulated screws were fixed, consider-ing the size of a typical Korean’s calcaneus.

The mean rate of union in the present study was 96% (83 to 100) (Table 2).34 This was similar to 94% for in situ sub-talar arthrodesis after calcaneal fracture35 and 97% for pri-mary subtalar arthrodesis.36

Autologous bone is commonly used, but sometimes ho-

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many studies have reported, satisfactory results were ob-tained from this surgery. The subtalar distraction arthrodesis using a double bone-block that we suggested led to excel-lent results for not only alleviation of pain but also func-tional recovery and restoration of the anatomical structures by correcting deformities. Accordingly, this procedure should be considered for patients with serious loss of talo-calcane-al height and severe pain due to subtalar arthritis.

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12. Thompson KR, Friesen CM. Treatment of comminuted fractures of the calcaneus by primary triple arthrodesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1959;41-A:1423-36.

13. Chen YJ, Huang TJ, Hsu KY, Hsu RW, Chen CW. Subtalar dis-tractional realignment arthrodesis with wedge bone grafting and lateral decompression for calcaneal malunion. J Trauma 1998;45: 729-37.

14. Kitaoka HB, Alexander IJ, Adelaar RS, Nunley JA, Myerson MS, Sanders M. Clinical rating systems for the ankle-hindfoot, mid-foot, hallux, and lesser toes. Foot Ankle Int 1994;15:349-53.

15. Bednarz PA, Beals TC, Manoli A 2nd. Subtalar distraction bone block fusion: an assessment of outcome. Foot Ankle Int 1997;18: 785-91.

16. Trnka HJ, Easley ME, Lam PW, Anderson CD, Schon LC, Myer-son MS. Subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2001;83:849-54.

17. Kitaoka HB, Schaap EJ, Chao EY, An KN. Displaced intra-articu-lar fractures of the calcaneus treated non-operatively. Clinical re-

plantar flexion. This was unchanged and barely improved after surgery.

Degenerative changes in adjacent joints, usually a talona-vicular joint or a calcaneocuboidal joint, are noted in 0 to 26%.30 Generally, additional surgery is not needed and all symptoms of degenerative changes are improved by con-servative treatment.

Although patients are able to obtain satisfactory results, such as alleviation of symptoms and development of daily living skills (e.g., walking skills, return to work) after subta-lar distraction arthrodesis, a number of complications have been reported as a result of the complexity of the proce-dure, problems of soft tissue, and so on. Postoperative com-plications such as wound infection, nonunion, sural nerve neuralgia, varus malunion, persistent heel pain due to im-plant extrusion, transposition and dislocation of a grafted bone-block, and damage of internal fixture have also been reported.1,4,6,7,14,39 After restoration of height by a bone-block in subtalar distraction arthrodesis, traction neuralgia can oc-cur. Also, the sural and tibial nerves are also at risk for inju-ry. A complex regional pain syndrome may occur or can worsen due to such injuries.15 In most studies, this depends on the severity of lateral calcaneal extrusion, and it is rec-ommended that the lateral wall should be removed in order to reduce the width of the calcaneus and to decompress the peroneal tendon and the sural nerve.29

As described above, there is relatively well formulated indication of subtalar distraction arthrodesis. However, in terms of the number of bone block for distraction according to the type of calcaneal malunion, previous studies21,22 on the specific protocol are still lacking. Therefore, the pur-pose of this study was to provide useful, mid-term follow up results for developing better indications for surgery.

Subtalar distraction arthrodesis is an effective surgery for patients with various anatomical deformities, including sub-talar arthritis and loss of talo-calcaneal height due to mal-union after displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture. As

Table 3. Comparison of Mean Range of Radiological Mea-surements Short Term Follow Up and Mid-Term Follow Up

Short term follow up (19 months)

Mid-term follow up (58 months)

TCH (mm) 72.4 72.3 TCA (°) 27.4 24.0 TDA (°) 20.4 18.6 TFMA (°) 0.4 0.8

TCH, talo-calcaneal height; TCA, talo-calcaneal angle; TDA, talar declina-tion angle; TFMA, talo-first metatarsal angle.

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30. Clare MP, Lee WE 3rd, Sanders RW. Intermediate to long-term results of a treatment protocol for calcaneal fracture malunions. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87:963-73.

31. Flemister AS Jr, Infante AF, Sanders RW, Walling AK. Subtalar arthrodesis for complications of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Foot Ankle Int 2000;21:392-9.

32. Myerson MS, Neufeld SK, Uribe J. Fresh-frozen structural al-lografts in the foot and ankle. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87:113-20.

33. Chung HJ, Bae SY, Lee HS. Subtalar distraction two bone-block arthrodesis for calcaneal malunion. J Korean Foot Ankle Soc 2009;13:68-74.

34. Schepers T. The subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis fol-lowing the late complications of calcaneal fractures: a systematic review. Foot (Edinb) 2013;23:39-44.

35. Schepers T, Kieboom BC, Bessems GH, Vogels LM, van Lieshout EM, Patka P. Subtalar versus triple arthrodesis after intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2010;5:97-103.

36. Schepers T. The primary arthrodesis for severely comminuted in-tra-articular fractures of the calcaneus: a systematic review. Foot Ankle Surg 2012;18:84-8.

37. Lee MS, Tallerico V. Distraction arthrodesis of the subtalar joint using allogeneic bone graft: a review of 15 cases. J Foot Ankle Surg 2010;49:369-74.

38. Zion I, Shabat S, Marin L, London E, Matan Y, Howard CB, et al. Subtalar distraction arthrodesis using a ramp cage. Orthopedics 2003;26:1117-9.

39. Chandler JT, Bonar SK, Anderson RB, Davis WH. Results of in situ subtalar arthrodesis for late sequelae of calcaneus fractures. Foot Ankle Int 1999;20:18-24.

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18. Lance EM, Carey EJ, Wade PA. Fractures of the os calcis: a fol-low-up study. J Trauma 1964;4:15-56.

19. Lindsay WR, Dewar FP. Fractures of the os calcis. Am J Surg 1958;95:555-76.

20. Gallie WE. Subastragalar arthrodesis in fractures of the os calcis. J Bone Joint Surg 1943;25:731-6.

21. Kalamchi A, Evans JG. Posterior subtalar fusion. A preliminary report on a modified Gallie’s procedure. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1977;59:287-9.

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24. Marti RK, de Heus JA, Roolker W, Poolman RW, Besselaar PP. Subtalar arthrodesis with correction of deformity after fractures of the os calcis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1999;81:611-6.

25. Pollard JD, Schuberth JM. Posterior bone block distraction ar-throdesis of the subtalar joint: a review of 22 cases. J Foot Ankle Surg 2008;47:191-8.

26. Rammelt S, Grass R, Zawadski T, Biewener A, Zwipp H. Foot function after subtalar distraction bone-block arthrodesis. A pro-spective study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2004;86:659-68.

27. Garras DN, Santangelo JR, Wang DW, Easley ME. Subtalar dis-traction arthrodesis using interpositional frozen structural allograft. Foot Ankle Int 2008;29:561-7.

28. Easley ME, Trnka HJ, Schon LC, Myerson MS. Isolated subtalar arthrodesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2000;82:613-24.

29. Baravarian B. Block distraction arthrodesis for the treatment of failed calcaneal fractures. Clin Podiatr Med Surg 2004;21:241-50.